Welcome to

Eye Center

of Charleston

Medical and Surgical Treatment of Eye Disease

Continuing a Tradition of Excellence in Medical and Surgical Eye Care for over 40 years! Our physicians and staff are dedicated to providing outstanding, personalized eye care to the residents of Greater Charleston and the surrounding Lowcountry.

:: Our Commitment to You ::

Our team uses the most advanced technology along with our esteemed clinical and surgical skills to precisely diagnose and treat a wide variety of eye conditions and diseases.

Patient Testimonials

I recommend Eye Center for all of your eye care. Great staff who are very friendly, very efficient and listen to you when you have questions.

— Claire M. —

Patient Testimonials

I am a longtime patient of the Eye Center of Charleston. I have always found the doctors to be very caring, they take the time to answer any questions I may have. The staff is very friendly and knowledgeable, they go above and beyond to accommodate me anytime I need an appointment. I highly recommend them!!

— Annette U. —

Patient Testimonials

At the Eye Center of Charleston, we appreciate and are grateful for the skill, patience, encouragement and availability of all professionals and staff. Before, during and after our cataract surgeries, we felt safe, secure and treated with care.

— Carol and Jim B. —

Surgical

Cataract Surgery

Cataracts can cause vision loss. The good news is cataract surgery is an overall safe, effective surgical procedure that can dramatically improve vision and reduce your dependence on eye glasses. The doctors at the Eye Center of Charleston have the surgical expertise to perform this life-changing procedure.

Laser and Minimally Invasive Glaucoma Surgery (MIGS)

Glaucoma is an eye disease where high pressure in the eye can cause optic nerve damage, possibly resulting in vision loss. Therefore, controlling eye pressure is the primary focus of treatment. Severe vision loss can be avoided in most patients, but early intervention is critical. Some patients need more than topical eye drops to help with their pressure, while others want to have less eye drop dependence. Along with medical treatment, several safe and effective procedures are available, including laser trabeculoplasty and minimally invasive glaucoma surgery. Talk with your eye doctor at Eye Center of Charleston to learn more.

Pterygium Surgery

A pterygium is a benign growth on the surface of the eye that can lead to blurry vision. Most pterygia occur in patients with a long history of sunlight or UV light exposure. The doctors at the Eye Center of Charleston are trained in the surgical treatment of pterygia.

Meet the Doctors

John C. Kulze III, M.D.

Serving the Charleston area for over 25 years with valued leadership and respect amongst colleagues and patients, Dr. Kulze has become one of the top ophthalmologists and cataract surgeons in the Lowcountry. Dr. Kulze received his Bachelor’s degree from Clemson and M.D. from MUSC.

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He remained at MUSC for his ophthalmology residency training, where he served as chief resident.As an ophthalmologist in the U.S. Army, he instructed other ophthalmologists in the most up to date cataract surgical techniques and treated many wounded soldiers in Operation Desert Storm.He has participated in numerous medical missions to South America, where he used his exceptional surgical skills in the most primitive environments to restore vision to the medically underserved.Dr. Kulze is the Chief of Ophthalmology at Bon Secours St. Francis Hospital.

Specialties

Comprehensive Ophthalmology

Cataract SurgeryMedical, Laser, and Minimally Invasive Surgery (MIGS) for the treatment of Glaucoma

Pterygium Surgery

Memberships

HUGH E. WRIGHT III, M.D.

Dr. Wright is the newest member of the team at Eye Center of Charleston, practicing as a comprehensive ophthalmologist, specializing in cataract surgery and minimally invasive glaucoma surgery. After growing up in Greenville, SC, he attended the College of Charleston and received his B.S. in Biochemistry, and a minor in Biology, graduating cum laude. Dr. Wright then received his M.D. from Medical University of South Carolina, where he volunteered with the Fight for Sight clinic and Crisis Ministries.

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After finishing medical school, he completed his intern year in Internal Medicine at MUSC, followed by his ophthalmology residency at the University of Arkansas for Medical Science. While in residency, Dr. Wright was awarded the Academic Achievement Award in 2016 and Resident of the Year Award in 2017. He has published and presented research in the fields of neuro-ophthalmology, cornea, oculoplastics, and eye trauma. In his free time, Dr. Wright loves to spend time with his wife, Kimberly, his dog Finn (a Brittany), family, and friends. His hobbies include golf, travel, hiking, camping, exploring new restaurants in Charleston.

Specialties

Membership

Charleston Ophthalmological Society South Carolina Society of Ophthalmology American Academy of Ophthalmology South Carolina Medical Society

JOHN ELLYN, M.D.

Dr. Ellyn, beloved by colleagues and patients alike, has practiced ophthalmology in the Charleston area for over 30 years. Formerly working as a self-employed ophthalmologist in downtown Charleston, Dr. Ellyn has been with the Eye Center of Charleston since 2014. He has always had a passion for education and is a past recipient of the esteemed “Opthalmology Golden Apple Award” for outstanding teaching excellence, awarded by the Storm Eye Institute at MUSC.

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Dr. Ellyn is also published author in several journals in the field of ophthalmology. Having raised his family in the Charleston area, Dr. Ellyn is an avid fisherman and can be found in the waterways of Charleston in his spare time.

Charles Beischel, M.D., Ph.D.

Dr. Beischel has lived in the Charleston area for over 25 years, and currently splits time between practicing comprehensive ophthalmology at the Eye Center of Charleston and teaching cataract surgery at the Ralph H. Johnson Veterans Affairs Medical Center. A forever favorite amongst colleagues and patients, Dr. Beischel has twice been awarded the distinguished Pierre Gautier Jenkins Award for his excellence in teaching MUSC opthalmology residents cataract surgery.

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Originally from Ohio, he graduated summa cum laude from Xavier University, then completed his MD and PhD at the Medical University of South Carolina. He served as Chief Resident in his final year of ophthalmology residency at MUSC’s Storm Eye Institute while earning the Program Director’s award twice due to his outstanding work as an ophthalmology resident. He holds extensive experience in clinical and basic science research, authoring numerous publications in the field of ophthalmology. Dr. Beischel is a devoted father to his daughters Grace and Helen. In his spare time, he can be found running 5K and 10K races around town, playing poker with neighborhood friends, and walking his dog, Captain.

Specialties

Comprehensive Ophthalmology

Memberships

Charleston Ophthalmological Society South Carolina Society of Ophthalmology American Academy of Ophthalmology South Carolina Medical Society

Optical Shop

Wide Selection of Frames

Fossil, Kate Spade, Claiborne, Lilly Pulitzer, Chesterfield & more

Sunglasses

Costa del Mar, Greg Norman, Carrera, Juicy Couture & more

Karen Norman

Optician – Since 2007

Karen is a lifelong resident of the Lowcountry and has been working in the optical field for over 18 years. She served in a number of retail management positions, including store manager and retail manager, before going into private practice. She has been licensed for over a decade and is currently in practice at Professional Optical, a model private care center carefully designed and equipped to offer its patients the finest and most sophisticated eyewear available.

Pam Nelson

Optician – Since 2017

Pam started her optical career in her home state of Tennessee almost 30 years ago. She made the Lowcountry her home in 2000. Pam has served in all areas of optical from lab technician to management positions. She has been a member of our team at Professional Optical since 2016, offering exceptional customer service and excellent optical knowledge.

Patient Forms

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